Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley blasted for ‘bizarre’ Queen comment
Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley is in the firing line over his comment about Her Majesty at her Platinum Jubilee.
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Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley is under fire over his response to Australia’s republican debate.
Mr Hurley was in the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee four-day celebration when he was asked by reporters about the possibility of Australia becoming a republic.
He said Her Majesty had plenty of “emotional support” from Australians, but believes that could change under the rule of a new monarch.
“I think at the moment people centre on the Queen, and then when she goes, when she passes, then the succession comes in, there’s a new discussion in Australia,” Mr Hurley replied.
The former chief of the defence force’s comments enraged 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham, who led a chorus of criticism.
“When she goes? It’s her big celebration,” Fordham said on Monday morning.
“Imagine going to someone’s anniversary or birthday party and saying ‘now listen, when she’s gone.’
“We don’t talk about that now.
“You’re over there representing Australia and it hasn’t gone down well I can tell you.”
2GB listeners rebuked the Governor-General’s comments.
“While he may be correct, it was a bizarre comment to be making during this very important celebration,” one listener said, according to responses read out by Fordham.
And another: “We shouldn’t be talking about the Queen passing away when she’s well and truly alive.”
QUEEN’S THANKS IN SURPRISE RETURN
The Queen emerged on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in a highly-anticipated appearance for the finale of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
She was joined by Prince Charles and Camilla, along with Prince William and Kate with their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Walking out with the help of a cane, the Queen smiled as she waved to the tens of thousands supporters gathered in the Mall for the Jubilee’s finale pageant and headline performance by Ed Sheeran.
“I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee,” the Queen said in a statement to mark the end of celebrations.
“When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first,” she added.
“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.”
Hopes of an appearance by the Queen, her first since the lighting of the beacons on the first evening, were raised when the “royal standard” flew above the palace, indicating the Monarch travelled to London from her home at Windsor Castle, where she has been for most of the four-day celebration due to “discomfort”.
The Prince of Wales and the Cambridge family left the royal box shortly before appearing with the Queen for the final at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen added in her statement that she is inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship she has seen in recent days.
“And I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come,” she said.
“I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”
YOUNG QUEEN BROUGHT TO LIFE IN HOLOGRAM
Her in-person appearance came after royal fans were blown away by her as a hologram in the Gold State Coach to lead the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Excited Brits waved to the image of the monarch as the 240-year-old horse-drawn coach made its way through the streets.
The archival footage came from the Queen’s coronation in 70-years ago in 1953, when she took the throne at the age of 25.
British superstar Ed Sheeran closed out the celebrations after a finale filled with picnics, parties, pomp and pop.
One of England’s “national treasures”, he played a special tribute to the Queen, who hadn’t been since the lighting of the beacons on the first night.
She has been forced out of the public eye for much of her Jubilee celebrations, which ended with thousands of street parties before the pageant got underway.
Bikes, motorbikes and Morris Minors all got into position as did several model Daleks from hit British show Dr Who.
Royals including William, Kate, Charles and Camilla watched on as the gold carriage stunned onlookers. Prince Louis was spotted beaming as he saw his great-grandmother’s hologram.
They were joined by Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Anne’s son Peter Phillips and daughter Zara Tindall, with husband Mike, also attended.
The fairytale coach has not appeared in public for 20 years. Experts carried out checks on the 24ft four-ton Georgian-era carriage to ensure it is in tip-top shape for the festivities marking 70 years on the throne.
The hologram was reportedly fitted to the stagecoach by London’s Treatment Studio, which is behind stage effects for Elton John, The Weekend, and Rolling Stone.
With the help of Buckingham Palace, the studio fitted digital screens to the inside of the coach on steel frames.
NAOMI CAMPBELL, KATE MOSS JOIN PAGEANT
Thousands of performers will took part in the pageant, which told the story of the Queen’s 70-year reign and the UK’s changing social landscape.
The first act, titled For Queen and Country, was a military spectacle honouring the Queen’s role as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.
Military personnel from Australia and New Zealand will join members of the UK Armed Forces.
The second act, called The Time of Our Lives, showcased British life from 1952, the beginning of the Queen’s reign, until the present day.
Seven decades of James Bond rolled down The Mall in style, but the Jaguar carrying Prue Leith broke down in the middle of the parade, needing a push from officials.
The next act, Let’s Celebrate, will be a party-style mash of street theatre, urban dance as well as the best from festivals like the Notting Hill Carnival and Mardi Gras.
Double-decker buses carried British celebrities from decades past, including the 1990s bus carrying Naomi Campbell, Vanessa-Mae, Charlotte Tilbury, Laura Bailey and Kate Moss, fresh off her bombshell testimony in Johnny Depp’s defamation case against Amber Heard.
The 1950s bus carried Sir Cliff Richard, Katherine Jenkins, Bonnie Langford, and Gloria Hunniford. The 1960s bus had Alan Titchmarsh, Basil Brush and Kate Garraway, among others. In the 1970s bus was Shirley Ballas, Angela Rippon, Heather Small and Lee Mack. The 1980s bus saw Timmy Mallett joined by Pudsey and Ruth Langsford. The 2000s rolled through with Sir Mo Farah and Dame Kelly Holmes. The 2010s bus was represented by Holly Willoughby.
Ed Sheeran will sang his ballad Perfect as images of the Queen and her late husband Prince Philip fill screens.
KATE AND KIDS BAKE FOR STREET PARTY
It came after the Duchess of Cambridge and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis rolled up their sleeves and got into the street party spirit.
The royals have taken to the kitchen to create some cupcakes as millions of people across the United Kingdom take to the streets for another epic day of celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Pictures of the Cambridges – smiling and laughing together in the kitchen – were shared on Kate and Prince William’s Instagram account.
Kate wrote in the caption: “Baking cakes for the local community in Cardiff to enjoy at a Platinum Jubilee street party taking place today! We hope you like them!”
Kate kept it casual in jeans, but added a touch of luxury with a $223 pink gingham blouse by Brora.
Charlotte looked sweet in a striped top and pink shorts, though may have had a baking-related accident as she later changed into a pink polo shirt and navy tassel shorts. Her brothers looked smart in navy polo tops as they got stuck in with the baking.
Thousands of comments quickly flooded the post, with many commenting on the ‘lovely moment’ shared of the family.
“This is just lovely,” one posted. “Such a beautiful family … love them.”
“This is just the sweetest,” another added. “What gorgeous little people they are becoming.”
The Cardiff street party is one of thousands that took place across the country as partygoers hoped to defy gloomy weather forecasts for much of the country and attend “Big Jubilee Lunch” picnics, including an attempted world record for the longest street party.
Streets normally busy with traffic have been replaced with tables full of food and champagne as thousands – many wearing and waving the Union Jack – took to the streets.
PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA MINGLE WITH THE PUBLIC AT BIG LUNCH
Prince Charles and Camilla are leading the festivities at a Big Jubilee Lunch in London, one of 85,000 being held across the UK.
The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, has joined the future king at a flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London.
Charles raised a glass of champagne in celebration of his mum’s Platinum Jubilee, while he and Camilla mingled with people at the lunch and admired the food and cake spread across massive tables.
The Platinum Pudding, Scotch eggs and fruit platters feature on a six-metre felt creation by artist Lucy Sparrow, which is to be viewed by Charles and Camilla at The Oval.
The couple, dressed in a striped suit emerald green embroidered dress coat by Fiona Clare, also presented the Platinum Champions with certificates and pins, before cutting a Big Jubilee Lunch cake.
Princess Beatrice was seen talking with a member of the public at Paddington Recreation Ground during the Big Jubilee Lunch organised by Westminster Council for local volunteer and community groups who helped during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Originally published as Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley blasted for ‘bizarre’ Queen comment
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